Population Impact of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages on Dental Caries and Overweight/Obesity in Australian Children

This study investigated population impact of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake on overweight and obesity and dental caries in Australian children. The National Child Oral Health Study collected parent-completed data (socioeconomic status, health behaviors, SSB consumption) and dental caries in the primary dentition of children aged 5 to 8 years. The outcomes (prevalence of caries and overweight and obesity) were assessed in multivariable regression models to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) with SSB intake as the main exposure. Population attributable fraction (PAF) was calculated using population distribution of the exposure and adjusted PRs. Among 7,021 children, some 15.2% children consumed 2+ SSBs per day. Prevalence of caries and overweight and obesity was 35.8% and 28.7%, respectively, and strongly associated with SSB consumption. Adjusted PRs for 2+ SSB intake/d for having dental caries and overweight and obesity was 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–1.66) and 1.49 (95% CI, 1.28–1.74), respectively. PAF of SSB consumption was 11% (95% CI, 18–35) for dental caries and 9% (95% CI, 11–34) for overweight and obesity. The reported findings consolidated evidence of detrimental effects of sugars intake on population health. Public health policy and advocacy initiatives such as a sugar tax and banning junk food advertisements should be prioritized to potentially reduce a significant proportion of cases with either condition. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The reported findings greatly consolidated evidence of detrimental effects of sugars intake on child oral health and overweight and obesity, some of the most prevalent chronic conditions in children. Evidence on population impact of sugars intake is directly informative to policy makers and the public about the potential impact of population-based programs targeting sugars intake to prevent dental caries and overweight and obesity.